Football Cheese Ball
This football cheese ball is the ultimate game-day appetizer! Delicious and festive, it's perfect for a crowd.
Football Shaped Cheese Ball
This Super Bowl Cheese Ball is a simple and tasty snack that everyone will love.
It’s packed with cream cheese, bacon, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheese.
Shaping it like a football makes it extra fun for the Super Bowl or even for any football game.
Ingredients
Cream cheese: We use full-fat cream cheese. Make sure to pull it out of the fridge at least a half an hour before making to allow it to come to room temperature.
Sour cream: Use your favorite brand of sour cream. We use a full-fat version.
Ranch seasoning: You can use store-bought or homemade ranch seasoning mix.
Shredded cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is a favorite for its bold flavor, but you can use a mild or extra sharp variety, depending on your taste.
Green onions: You can adjust the amount based on how much onion flavor you want in the cheese ball.
Bacon: If you’re using cooked bacon, make sure to chop it finely so it mixes well into the cheese ball.
How to Make
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese, ¼ cup of sour cream, and ranch seasoning until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Fold in the shredded cheese, green onions, and half of the chopped bacon, mixing everything together evenly.
Once the ingredients are well combined, shape the mixture into a football shape and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
Place the cheese ball in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours, allowing it to firm up.
After it has chilled, coat the outside of the cheese ball with the remaining bacon bits until it’s fully covered.
Finally, transfer the remaining sour cream to a piping bag and cut the tip off.
Pipe the laces of the football on top of the cheese ball just before serving to finish it off.
Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Use room-temperature cream cheese to make mixing easier and smoother.
For faster prep, use pre-cooked bacon bits or bacon crumbles from the store.
If you’re in a rush, skip the football shape and simply roll the mixture into a ball or log shape.
Chill the cheese ball overnight for a richer flavor; it gives the ingredients more time to meld together.
You can customize by adding other mix-ins like chopped jalapeños, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives.
Freeze the uncoated cheese ball for up to a month if you want to make it ahead and save time on game day. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and coat with bacon bits before serving.
Leftovers/Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
This cheese ball does not need to be reheated, as it’s best served cold.
You can freeze the cheese ball before coating it with bacon bits by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
What to Serve with Super Bowl Cheese Ball
Here are some of our favorites to serve with this Super Bowl Cheese Ball:
Crackers: Use crunchy crackers like Ritz or buttery club crackers.
Vegetable sticks: Carrot sticks, celery, and cucumber slices.
Pretzels: Soft or crunchy pretzels are perfect for adding a salty bite.
Bread: Sliced baguette or toasted bread rounds.
Chips: Tortilla chips or pita chips are another great choice.
F.A.Q.
What can I use instead of ranch seasoning?
You can substitute with Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, or a homemade ranch mix made from herbs like dill, parsley, and garlic powder.
What if I don’t have green onions?
You can substitute with finely chopped red onion or chives for a similar flavor and texture.
What if my cheese ball isn’t firming up in the fridge?
Try letting it chill for a longer period. If it’s still soft, you may need to add more cream cheese or shredded cheese.
What can I use instead of bacon bits?
Chopped cooked sausage, pepperoni, or ham can work well as alternatives to bacon bits.
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Super Bowl Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream divided
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning ~3 Tablespoons or 1 packet
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 3 green onions finely chopped
- 6 strips bacon finely chopped or â…” cup real bacon bits
Instructions
- Stir together the cream cheese, ¼ cup sour cream, and ranch seasoning until well combined.
- Fold in the shredded cheese, green onions, and half the bacon bits.
- Form the mixture into a football shape and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Coat the cheese ball in bacon bits until fully covered.
- Transfer the remaining cream cheese to a piping bag. Cut the tip off the bag and pipe the laces on top of the football before serving.
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.
